Src Weddinghttp://xsrcn.com
Wedding tips and learn more how to be a great moment on the big dayFri, 20 Jan 2017 04:06:57 +0000en-UShourly1Perfect wedding suppliershttp://xsrcn.com/perfect-wedding-suppliers
Fri, 23 Dec 2016 14:10:37 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=34Choosing your wedding suppliers is more than simply engaging with those who have the best Instagram photos, it is crucial to connect with them on a personal level to bring your dream to life.

Finding that shared vision and passion is the key to finding your perfect wedding suppliers. Although it sounds like a pretty straight-forward thing, it will require you to do a bit of research and legwork to achieve.

Not to worry though, we have a step-by-step guide to help you select the right suppliers for your big day.

Step 1: Get inspired

You can get started on your search right away by visiting the Easy Weddings directory. It is a portal for suppliers from around the country and is an easy way to look through photos from each of the suppliers in your area.

This will not only give you some inspirational ideas for your own ceremony and reception, but it will give you an idea of which suppliers have worked with styles similar to what you envisage for your big day.

Step 2: Create a shortlist

When you see something that stands out for you, jot their details down, or save them into your Easy Weddings Suppliers List so you can easily find them later. You may find that the same suppliers keeps popping up time and again, so it makes sense that they will be one of the people you reach out to.

Step 3: Make enquiries and request pricing

Fill out the enquiry form on the profile pages of your favourite suppliers to find out if they are available for yourwedding date and to request pricing. Enquire with multiple suppliers to ensure you get fast responses and you are able to make a clear comparison between the suppliers in each category.

Step 4: Time to get personal

If the suppliers are in travelling distance, it is worth scheduling an appointment to sit down with them to discuss what you have in mind and to hear how they can make it a reality for you. It will also give you a chance to get more inspiration from their environment and see more of their work.

You will quickly be able to tell if they are the right fit for you by how easily you can communicate. Don’t be afraid to meet with two, three or even more similar suppliers to know what your options are and keep looking if you don’t find the right one straight off.

Step 5: Revisit your list and check reviews

Now that you have put faces to names, (or voices to them if you have made enquiries over the phone) you will have a very good idea of whom is your preferred supplier for each element of your wedding.

If you’re having trouble deciding, use things like Easy Weddings’ reviews or even search our Real Weddings to help shortlist who is the right fit for you.

]]>In laws during wedding planninghttp://xsrcn.com/in-laws-during-wedding-planning
Thu, 15 Dec 2016 15:27:35 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=42Wedding planning can drive even the most reasonable person a little loco at times. When it is your BFF, it is easy to pull them back into line. But when it is your future mother-in-law or even your own mother who is playing up, things can get a bit tricky.

The future in-laws are a very important part of your partner’s past and present and they will become an important part of your future, so it is best to try and handle any problems or conflict of ideas or personalities with as much composure and grace as you can.

Likewise with your own parents. You may not have always seen eye-to-eye while you were growing up, but your wedding is the last moment in your life when you want to let any strain come between you.

We have looked at a few of the most common differences of opinion that arise between brides-to-be, their parents and the future in-laws and have come up with some suggestions on how to diffuse the situation without hurting too many feelings (and still getting most of what you want…).

How to handle the parents and in-laws during wedding planning

Your mother in-law wants you to wear her dress

If this suggestion, or more forceful expectation, had come from your own mother and she has a sense of humour, you could easily say you would rather not wear a puffy-sleeved ’80s tulle-fest.

But if there is a dress that has been in the family for generations, it can be a little harder to pull the plug on the idea.

Likewise, if your future MIL never had a daughter, she might feel like you are one of her own and want to bestow the honour of passing her dress on to you.

In both of theses cases, you will need to employ a little more tact and rather than detracting from the look or age of her gown, which will still have a lot of sentimental value for her, thank her kindly for the offer.

You might choose to say then and there that you would like to buy something that would suit a particular style you had in mind for your wedding, or you may have already found the gown of your dreams and you could offer to take her to a fitting so she can see it for herself. When she sees how happy you are in the gown and how stunning it is on you, she might change her tune.

If she is still insistent on you wearing the dress or balks at what you have chosen, you can politely say that this is what you would like to wear on your big day.

]]>Arrange Wedding costshttp://xsrcn.com/arrange-wedding-costs
Thu, 15 Dec 2016 15:04:32 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=36You have set your wedding budget and checked it twice, but here are some costs you may not have considered.

To help you plan for everything we have compiled a list of things that are commonly overlooked when setting and allocating your wedding budget. Here are some wedding costs you probably didn’t know about.

Corkage and cake cutting fees

If you use the cake or alcohol provided by your reception venue, the corkage and cake fees are typically wrapped into the cost. But if you bring in a cake or alcohol that is not provided by your venue, some venues will charge for the cutting and serving of the cake and corkage fees too.

Postage costs

If you’re having your invitations made, factor in postage to your wedding budget too. Keep in mind that with a standard letter costing $1 to send nationally, adding weight or size to that could see you spending more than $2 for each invitation. Also remember to factor in postage for thank you notes if you receive wedding gifts.

Ring insurance

You have a beautiful new piece of jewellery adorning your finger, so you should do what you can to protect it. Insurance is a good way to go to avoid a costly replacement or repair if something should go awry.

The annual cost to insure your ring is around $1 to $2 for every $100 that it would cost to replace. This means that if your ring would cost $9000 to replace, you might expect to pay between $90 and $180 per year to insure it.

Liquor licence

If you are having your reception on a private property, a temporary limited licence is generally not required where liquor will be supplied free of charge. However, a licence will always be required if the supply of liquor is contingent on the sale or purchase of goods or services.

If liquor is being supplied through a catering or beverage company, the company will require a liquor licence. Always check they have the relevant licences and that this cost is covered in their quote.

Alterations

Unless you’re extremely lucky, your wedding gown is going to require some alterations. This could be as simple as hemming the gown, taking it in (or letting it out), or structural changes like adding straps. Make sure you add a little extra to your dress budget to cover any potential what-ifs.

Pre-drinks and food

Chances are you have meticulously planned what people will be eating at your reception, right down to catering for the vegans, gluten intolerant and small children.

But what about you and your bridal party before the ceremony has begun? Don’t starve! Arrange some small snacks or light meals to tide you over and keep you energised. Also, remember to count yourself and your partner in the final table count.

Additonally, your photographer and videographer will be with you for more than eight hours on the wedding day, so consider arranging meals for them to keep them going.

]]>wedding Pinterest worthy tipshttp://xsrcn.com/wedding-pinterest-worthy-tips
Thu, 15 Dec 2016 14:18:31 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=39The magical world of Pinterest has brought creativity and inspiration for wedding ideas to a whole new level, so it just makes sense to get amongst it. But how do you make your wedding vision Pinterest-worthy in real life?

We can help you with that! Here are some tips to get your started on bringing your awe-inspiring wedding to life.

Start broad

Jot down ideas as they come to you, scan magazines – no matter how old they are – scour them for style ideas and interesting colour schemes.

Take to Pinterest itself and do a generic search and pin things that capture your attention, whether it is because of the theme, the look, the creativity or the colour.

Look at venues, food, flowers, dresses and you will start to see a theme emerging from the things you pin to your board.

Get specific

Now that you know what you are looking for, you can narrow down the search and widen the horizon of possibilities. There are guides that show up under the search bar that can help you to pivot to related searches.

Visual search (a magnifying glass at the top of every pin, is a great tool for finding similar flower arrangements, dresses and colour schemes.

Create a mood board

This can be electronic or physical, but can include all of your favourite ideas and elements that you really want to include in your wedding.

This can be an organic document that can change throughout your planning process as you come across new ideas and more interesting ways to set the tone of your wedding.

Research

The vendors you’re considering probably have Pinterest boards, so take a look at the ideas they’ve been saving. It’s reassuring as a bride-to-be when you find a vendor with a shared aesthetic, so you can be confident that they’ll execute your vision.

You can also create a group board that your fiance can contribute to if they want to be involved, and that you can share with your vendors so you don’t have to try and explain what you are looking for over the phone or email.

Set the budget

Before you get totally blown away by ideas that you want to recreate yourself, it’s time to get realistic.

Determining the length of the purse strings will help you figure out whether you can outsource the creation of your unique ideas (or the recreation of ones you absolutely love), or whether you will have to start op-shopping for unique pieces to re-purpose yourself.

]]>Choose vintage themed for weddinghttp://xsrcn.com/choose-vintage-themed-for-wedding
Tue, 22 Nov 2016 13:19:33 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=32A vintage themed wedding will never go out of fashion, and brides-to-be simply can’t get enough of the vintage theme. Whether you are in love with 1930’s Art Deco and Great Gatsby-style luxury, or prefer a more simple and elegant 1940’s look, here are some ideas you can tap into for decor inspiration:

Tea cups

Nothing says vintage as immediately as tea cups and saucers. There are so many variations of styles from floral to subtle and sophisticated.

If you are going for a more traditional look, you can keep whole sets together, or maybe choose a different pattern of china for each of the tables.

But if you really want to have some fun, go for the mismatched look.

Suitcases

Not only do they evoke the feeling of times past, but they are times of adventure and excitement!

There are many creative ways you can use vintage suitcases from wishing wells to places where guests can leave special cards or messages to the newlyweds in lieu of a traditional guestbook. This is a great DIY you can easily achieve as well as to your to do list.

Lace

There are so many different kinds of lace and the patterns can be as intricate or as simple as you desire.

Lace is one of the images most people conjure up when you mention a vintage theme.

From table runners, to centerpiece highlights and even bunting, there are so many ways to incorporate lace into your decor.

]]>Things you should you know when engagement partyhttp://xsrcn.com/things-you-should-you-know-when-engagement-party
Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:58:17 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=30Congratulations on your engagement! A party can be the ideal time to announce the news to your nearest and dearest. We have the answers to all of your questions about engagement party etiquette.

Everyone is aware of the hens and bucks and all of the fun and frivolity that can go on there, but who do youinvite to an engagement party? Do you receive gifts? Who should throw the party? These are all common questions, so we have brought the answers to you so you can brush up on engagement party etiquette before the event.

Who should throw the party?

Traditionally the parents of the engaged couple will host the party. But a number of factors could impact on this, such your partners family living in another state or even country. In this case, you might opt to have one engagement party hosted by willing parents, or even have one with each family so that no one misses out.

If you are having multiple parties, you should invite guests to only one party, not both.

If neither of your families are close by, you can opt to hire a venue.

That said, this is the 21st century and if you are having a destination wedding or elopement and would like a big celebration for your engagement instead, you can take on the responsibility yourselves so you can celebrate with everyone.

Who pays?

If someone is hosting the party for you, it is generally them who covers the costs.

If you are hosting your own formal party at a venue, traditionally it’s your responsibility to cover the bill and if a dinner is too expensive, you can consider a cocktail party or even a pot luck in your own back yard if that is more your style. You can tailor the event to suit any budget.

It is becoming more common to hold informal drinks at a venue and in this case, it’s okay for guests to purchase their own drinks and you can consider putting up an initial bar tab or providing some nibbles.

Who should you invite?

It is tradition that everyone who is invited to your engagement party should also be invited to your wedding.

But there is an exception to every rule. In this case, if you decide to host your own wedding and keep the list small, you might want to throw a larger engagement party. The key here is to let everyone know that this is what you have in mind so that people don’t feel on the outer or that they have done something to upset you when they don’t receive a wedding invitation.

Try to make the guest list a balance between you and your partner’s friends and family, so that one side isn’t dominant. Often, this is the first time before your wedding that all of these people will mix together, and ideally, you want them to mingle and get along!

Whether you’re yet to learn to boil eggs or you’re a budding cordon bleu chef, you’re going to need spices, even if it is only salt and pepper! This magnetic stainless steel spice stand stores small amounts of your 8 most-used spices and it stands vertically so that it uses as little space as possible.

Knives, knives and more knives

Every kitchen needs a set of knives for different purposes and in different sizes. Ever tried cutting garlic with a bread knife? This 7-piece Daisho knife set from Baccarat features knives made from Japanese steel and designed for use by both left and right-handed users. It’s also backed by a lifetime guarantee.

A saute pan

What’s the point of owning all this fantastic cooking gear if you don’t have anything to cook in? This 32cm, 4.5 litre deep saute pan is incredibly versatile and you’ll be able to cook anything from a soup to a roast in it! It features a large glass lid and heavy-duty non-stick coating and is even oven safe to 260C. No wonder it has been dubbed the Rolls-Royce of non-stick frypans.

Dinner plates

If you want a change from simple white plates, these ‘gelati’ coloured dinner plates are made from top quality porcelain and are both dishwasher and microwave safe. They come in a range of bright and bold colours and will add a striking vibrance to your dining table. They feature a coloured bottom and a matte finish with a rimmed white inner face.

A pair of kitchen shears

Whether you need to open a packet or portion out a roast, these vibrant kitchen shears will do the trick. They feature soft touch ergonomic grips for safer and more comfortable handling as well as an integrated stanley knife to cut through sealed boxes. The stainless steel blades are made from extra hardened steel so that they stay sharper longer.

A chopping board

Villeroy & Boch’s wooden Artesano chopping board doubles as a serving board, so you’ll get double the functionality for your money. It’s made from acacia wood and is flat on one side and features grooves on the other for placing items of food, such as dips and cheese on it.

]]>How to choose the prettiest engagement ringshttp://xsrcn.com/how-to-choose-the-prettiest-engagement-rings
Thu, 13 Oct 2016 13:56:08 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=26Men draw the short straw when it comes to engagement jewellery as they traditionally remain bare-handed until the “I Dos” are exchanged. But, you might decide you would like to give your man an engagement ring to show off to all of his friends too.

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not you should buy a ring for your man. The key is knowing what your soon-to-be fiance would like.

If you are in a same-sex relationship, or if you are a woman proposing to your man, you might like to have a ring at the ready when you pop the question. Or you could choose to make it a team affair and shop for one together.

You can get something with the aim of him wearing it on his right hand until the wedding, where he will swap the same ring to his left. Or you can get him something that will forever be his engagement ring and you can go shopping for a wedding band later on.

If you do decide to deck him out with a ring, there is no traditional look or feel, so you can really personalise it.

Alternatively, you can consider other options like a watch, bracelet or cufflinks.

If you are venturing into the realm of man engagement ring shopping, there are three key things to keep in mind:

Your budget

Like any major purchase, men’s rings can vary significantly in price. You can find a beautiful men’s engagement ring for as little as $200 or $300 if you choose a simple design.

But prices can skyrocket if you would like to go for a designer brand name or include precious gems.

There’s no right or wrong amount to spend on a ring as long as you don’t spend more than you can afford.

The old rule of “three month’s salary” isn’t practical for everyone. Set a budget that makes you comfortable, and you’ll find a ring you love that will signify your commitment to each other.

His tastes and lifestyle

Rings come in all shapes and styles, and chances are that some are more suited to your man than others.

Think about what he wears on a regular basis. If he’s a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy, a flashy diamond might not be his style.

Or if he wears a suit every day, an alternative patterned ring could clash with his personal taste.

If he works with his hands or is an active sportsman, you might opt for a simple band to avoid elaborate designs wearing down or stones catching on clothing or equipment.

Personality is everything

The perfect engagement ring will be different for every guy and the options are endless. You can go for a simple wedding band in gold, white gold, rose gold or titanium, or you can jazz it up with diamond or precious gem embellishments or engraved patterns.

]]>What are you thinking about facebook weddingshttp://xsrcn.com/what-are-you-thinking-about-facebook-weddings
Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:05:55 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=23Many couples make a decision to ban phones and the use of social media at their weddings to avoid guests being distracted, but millennials are now embracing it – even shunning traditional wedding ceremonies for those streamed live to guests online. These have been called “Facebook Weddings”.

The names Zita de Pooter and Jeremy Meek are being broadcast around the world as a couple who celebrated their wedding with 210 friends – none of whom turned up for the big day.

Instead, they “liked” the couple’s wedding announcement – a photo of them in casual attire pointing to a crisp white sheet of paper, which just happened to be their marriage certificate.

“We picked up the papers from the courthouse , it was really easy and left to Starbucks,” Zita told The Washington Post.

The 28-year-old says they picked up papers from the courthouse, found a “quiet nook” in a local Starbucks and Jeremy, 32, said some “silly words” about their time together before they signed the paperwork.

“We didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. It was nice. A little bit romantic even,” she says.

There was no bouquet, no wedding dress and no pressure to pull off a ceremony in front of guests.

Their photographer was a passerby on the street, who took the photo on an iPhone that the world is now seeing on Facebook.

The caption read: “Went to the courthouse yesterday and became leap day husband and wife. Anniversaries every 4 years for the rest of our lives.”

Comments began pouring in from the “guests” including: “Congrats! Good Looking couple! Wowowow!”

So is there merit to the idea of shunning a traditional marriage celebration for a social media “event”?

Your wallet will say yes, but your heart might say no.

The 2016 Easy Weddings Survey found the average cost of an Aussie wedding is $30,985, this is just over $10,000 more than what couples budget for on average. This is why a budget is important in the planning process.

It worked for Zita and Jeremy and they won’t be the last couple to get married in such a fashion.

More and more young couples are kissing tradition goodbye and saying “I do” to elopements, courthouse nuptials and intimate small-scale weddings.

]]>Tips easy for pull off a surprise weddinghttp://xsrcn.com/tips-easy-for-pull-off-a-surprise-wedding
Thu, 15 Sep 2016 15:13:38 +0000http://xsrcn.com/?p=19There’s nothing quite like being able to pull off the ultimate surprise and if you are not a big believer in traditions, one of the best opportunities you will get is to have a surprise wedding!

Too tricky you say? Not at all.

When you look at all of the planning that goes into a wedding, you could actually save a lot of time and money by combining it with another event, like an engagement party, anniversary or even a milestone birthday party.

Rebecca and Leigh decided to get married at their engagement party to save the stress of also planning a wedding.

The Melbourne couple only told a select few people of their plans, so the majority of their 130 guests had no idea what was in store.

“Leading up, everyone had their suspicions and occasionally people would ask or imply we were going to get married. Deny, deny, deny!” Rebecca says.

“There were a few wardrobe changes to pull off the surprise but it all went off without a hitch.”

Here are some tips to help you pull off a surprise wedding that will delight your guests.

To ensure a great turnout, you’ll need to dream up a creative decoy. If your family is already getting together for a planned holiday, you could seize the moment to plan something on location or if you have a 30th or other milestone birthday, you could plan the wedding a week before or after and claim it is to celebrate this occasion.

The most common, however, is to use the engagement party as a ruse and get hitched then.

Explore all options for a venue

Because this is a surprise, huge alarm bells will be going off if you decide to hold your surprise wedding at a church.

To avoid this, look at venue options that have the capacity to hold the number of guests you would like, but that could be a place where an event of any kind could be held.

This could include a local cafe, function center or even a picnic at a park or beach.

Get creative with decor

No one is expecting traditional wedding decor, so you can get creative and incorporate any theme, color and look.

You can do all of this and still create a main ceremony area if you wish to.Talk to your vendors about ways you can disguise the set-up so that it doesn’t immediately scream wedding.

There are many ways you can camouflage things with sheer fabric and accent lighting to deflect any suspicion until you are ready to make the announcement.